Multi-color multiple offset single impression screen printer

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for printing images on an article consisting of a plurality of screen printing stencils, intermediate supports for receiving the images from the stencils, a collective support for collecting the images from the intermediate supports, and a mounting support adjacent to the collective support for holding the articles to be printed while the images are transferred from the collective support to the articles.

United States Patent [191 Tiemann Oct. 28, 1975 MULTI-COLOR MULTIPLEOFFSET SINGLE IMPRESSION SCREEN PRINTER [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Werner Kammann Maschinenfabrik, Germany 22 Filed: Jan.22, 1973 21 App1.No.:329,806

Gerhard Tiemann, Lohne, Germany [30] Foreign Application Priority DataJan. 20, 1972 Germany 2202545 {52] US. Cl. 101/115; 101/116; 101/124;101/175; 101/177; 101/194 [51] Int. Cl. B41F 15/10 [58] Field of Search101/175, 186, 187, 194, 101/114, 110, 40,116,121,122,123,124, 129, 177,35

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,227 10/1932 Wood101/176 2,132,086 10/1938 Scheffler 101/175 2,894,453 7/1959 Trisler101/175 3,229,627 l/l966 Pollitt 101/115 3,263,606 8/1966 Poynter101/176 X 3,366,046 1/1968 Szasz 101/176 3,404,624 10/1968 Proffitt, Jr.101/40 3,554,836 1/1971 Steindorf 101/35 UX 3,593,661 7/1971 Tripp101/175 3,735,699 5/1973 Koelschbach 101/115 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 222,993 10/1924 United Kingdom lOl/l77 1,951,513 4/1971Germany 2,202,545 3/1974 Germany Primary Examiner-Edgar S. BurrAssistant Examiner-R. E. Suter Attorney, Agent, or FirmAllison C.Collard ABSTRACT Apparatus for printing images on an article consistingof a plurality of screen printing stencils, intermediate supports forreceiving the images from the stencils, a collective support forcollecting the images from the intermediate supports, and a mountingsupport adjacent to the collective support for holding the articles tobe printed while the images are transferred from the collective supportto the articles.

3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet1of4 3,915,087

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,915,087

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,915,087

FIG. 30

FIG. 3b

FIG. 3c

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet40f4 3,915,087

MULTI-COLOR MULTIPLE OFFSET SINGLE IMPRESSION SCREEN PRINTER Thisinvention relates to apparatus for printing articles, whereby a printingimage is produced first by screen printing, and then transferred to theobject.

In a conventional method, the printing image produced by using a screenprinting stencil is applied first to a transfer cylinder, and thentransferred by the cylinder to the article to be printed. Severalindividual impressions may also be applied successively to the articlein a known manner in consecutive stations of a printing machine which isprovided with circulating conveyor means to convey the article fromstation to station. However, it is a disadvantage that at each station,the articles have to be accurately aligned with the'respective transfermeans. The operation and the construction of the apparatus are, to someextent, complicated, especially since high demands must be made on theaccuracy of the parts carrying out the alignment in order to achieve aperfect printed image.

In the present invention, apparatus is provided for applying a compositeprinting image, design, and the like, to an article in one transferoperation. The image may be composed of several constituent parts withdifferent printing inks.

In the invention, a plurality of printing image components are producedby the screen printing process, and are then combined to give acomposite printing image which is transferred to an article to beprinted. Commercial screen printing inks may be used, and require nospecial treatment before, or during the printing or transfer operation.An advantage of the invention is that the printing image components arereceived successively by a collective support on which the compositeprinting image is formed. In this way, it is possible to apply theprinting inks of the individual constituent printing images on top ofeach other, and/or side by side, and/or mixed (a combination of theindividual inks or halftone), preferably without using a fixing varnish,to the collective support as a mirror image composite printing image ordesign, and subsequently in one transfer operation to the article to beprinted. In this way, multi-colored screen printing designs may beapplied, for example, to cylindrical bodies, which have no mechanicalregistration marks, such as, metal aerosol sprays, vacuum-formed plasticbeakers, glass ampoules, without using the known multi-station screenprinting machines with a large number of special supports for thearticles. The invention also permits multicolored webs of paper,textiles, plastics or other materials to be printed without the need forcomplicated registration controls, vacuum rollers, or other registrationattachments. In any case, the invention is not limited to the individualconstituent printing images having differnet colors. It is also possibleto use printing inks for all or some constituent printing images of acomposite printing image which have the same coloring but differentphysical and/or chemical properties. For example, it is also possible toapply a colorless varnish or the like as a coating over one or moreconstituent printing images which have a certain coloring or colorcombination. 7

In a further embodiment of the invention, each constituent printingimage may be applied first to an intermediate support, after which, allthe constituent printing images are.assembled on a collective support toform the composite printing image, and are transferred by the latter tothe article to be printed. This method using the intermediate support isappropriate if during the production of the constituent printing imageby screen printing, the screen printing stencil bears against thesupport carrying the constituent printing image. However, it is alsopossible to apply the constituent printing image to the support withoutcontact. In this case, the intermediate support may be eliminated, sincethere is no contact between the screen printing stencil and the support.There is also no danger of a mutual interference between the screenprinting stencil and a constituent printing image already located on thesupport. Moreover, the invention also permits the collective and/orintermediate support to be cleaned after each transfer operation.

The invention may also be used in a particularly advantageous manner forprintingconical articles so that the corresponding composite printingimage is printed without a conical development of the screen printingstencils; the latter moving solely on one coordinate and being collectedwithout a corresponding construction of the collective support and/orthe intermediate support. The conical development takes place solelybetween the collective support and the article. This method alsosubstantially simplifies the sequence of operations, and the apparatusused therefor.

The apparatus may consist of two or more screen printing stencils, atransfer body provided between the stencil and the object to be printed,and a mounting support for the objects. In this case, two or more screenprinting stencils are advantageously associated with the transfer bodyconstructed as a collective support. An intermediate support may bedisposed between the collective support and each screen printingstencil. One arrangement which has proved particularly advantageous isfor all the screen printing stencils, the intermediate supportsassociated therewith, and the collective support to have a commonmechanical drive system. An arrangement of this type has the advantagethat inaccuracies of the registration are prevented by the constantuniform conditions throughout the system. Normally, the article to beprinted does not need to be aligned with respect to the compositeprinting image. Furthermore, the individual constituent printing imagesare always arranged with respect to each other in the desired manner andcomplement each other to form the composite printing image.

The intermediate and/or collective supports may be constructed asmovable bodies and preferably as rollers. There may also be providedindividual plates, segments or other parts complementing each other toform a movable body, each of which receives a constituent or compositeprinting image. It is also possible to construct the intermediate and/orcollective supports as circulating belts. The conveyor means arecomposed of individual parts, for example, plates, chains, or the like,and the surfaces are suitable for receiving the constituent or compositeprinting images.

It is particularly advantageous to construct the surfaces of theintermediate and/or collective supports,

receiving the constituentor composite printing images, from a materialwith slight adhesion, preferably silicon. In this case, the adhesion ofthe collective support should be slightly greater than that of theprevious intermediate support. The constituent printing image located onthe intermediate support can then be easily picked up by the collectivesupport without leaving any residue of ink on the intermediate support.On the other hand, the forces of adhesion between the printing ink andthe collective support are so slight that there is almost a perfecttransfer of the printing ink from the collective support to the object.

According to a further embodiment of the invention,

. the surfaces of the intermediate support receiving the constituentprinting images may have a greater hard ness than the correspondingsurfaces of the collective support. In this way, it is possible toprovide optimum conditions both for the production of screen printing,in which screen printing stencils and intermediate supports cooperate,as well as for the transfer of the composite printing image to theobject. To produce screen printing, a hard surface, i.e., a surfacewhich is as rigid as possible, is favorable, so that the line of contactbetween the surface and printing stencil is as linear as possible andparallel to the squeegee. The intermediate support forming the surfacemust fullfill this prerequisite. On the other hand, the greater elasticresiliency of the collective support allows a better adaptation of thesupport to the shape of the object, if the object surface to be printedis not in one plane. In this respect, conventional screen printingmethods and apparatus are limited. The present invention overcomes theselimits.

If the surface of the intermediate or collective support carrying theprinting image is substantially flat, a relatively movable pressurearrangement, constructed as a roller, may be associated with the objectto be printed. This is particularly suitable when the intermediateand/or collective supports are constructed as belts or the like.

The movement effecting the transfer of the printing image onto therespectively arranged support (collective support or object) may takeplace at right angles to the direction of movement of the collectivesupport. When roller-like intermediate supports are used, the latter maybe rotated and, if necessary, displaced at right angles to the directionof movement of the collective support.

Particularly when a belt or the like is used as a collective support,the transfer of the printing image to the object may take place in aregion of the belt which is substantially vertical. In this manner, itis readily possible to print certain articles, for example, bottles orthe like in an upright position.

It has already been mentioned that apparatus according to the inventionis suitable for multicolor printing of webs. In this case, it is onlynecessary to provide a peripheral length of the region of the collectivesupport receiving the printing image for producing an uninterruptedprinted image on the article.

In the invention, it is also possible to apply a composite printingimage composed of several constituent printing images to articles in oneoperation. In this case, embossed, thickly plastic, and fully opaquecolors, usable only in a screen printing process may now be employed inthe same manner as in known screen printing methods. The inventionconsequently im- FIG. la is a side view of a continuously operatingmulti-color screen printing machine printing a cylindrical article;

FIG. lb shows a portion of the machine of FIG. la printing a flatarticle;

FIG. 1c is a plan view of the composite printed image;

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. la of a second embodiment;

FIG. 3a is a side view ofa third embodiment when cy lindrical or conicalarticles are printed;

FIG. 3b is a portion of the machine of FIG. 3a when used for flat bedprinting;

FIG. 3c shows a conical article which has been printed;

FIG. 4a is a side view of a further embodiment of a screen printingmachine; and

FIGS. 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f and 4g show a portion of the machine of FIG. 4ain front view, with the cooperating parts in different operationalpositions.

The machine illustrated in FIGS. la and 1b has three screen printingstencils ll, 12 and 13 constructed as circular screens, and threeroller-like intermediate supports 14, 15 and 16, and a collectivesupport 17, which is also constructed as a roller. A squeegee 18 isprovided inside each screen printing stencil ll, 12 and 13 in thecustomary manner.

The composite printing image according to FIG. 1c is to be applied toanarticle 19 to be printed. In this case, it is not important whetherarticle 19 is cylindrical as in FIG. 1a or a flat article as in FIG. lb.In the first case, it is assumed that the illustration according to FIG.10 is a development of the composite printed image. The image consistsof a rectangular background 21, which is provided with a recess 22 inthe central region. The application of ink corresponding to background21 originates from screen printing stencil 11. It is then applied by thestencil to intermediate support 14. Background 21, or its correspondingapplication of ink is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and lb as a continuouszone, the thickness of the ink being shown as greatly enlarged forreasons of clarity.

Inside recessed surface 22, wording in small print is to be applieddirectly to the surface of article 19 or 20. The colored area 23corresponding to this wording is shaded in FIGS. la and lb. Itoriginates from screen printing stencil 12, from which it is transferredto intermediate support 15. For the purpose of clarity, the colored area23 in FIGS. la and lb is shown as lying on background 21 inside recess22. The thickness of colored area 23 has also been shown greatlyenlarged, since in reality, the thickness of the inks in screen printingis between 10 and 40 microns, so that images can be printed within eachother, over each other, or beside each other, all with sharp edges.

The composite printing images also contains two colored areas 24a and24b which correspond to the expression AUTO and MOBIL. These constituentprinting images 24a and 24b, which originate from screen printingstencil 13, are transferred by the stencil to intermediate support 16,and applied to background 21, so that, with respect to the relativeposition of constituent printing images 21 and 24a and 24b, the drawingillustrates the actual situation. In this case, the thickness of thecoating of ink and also of the colored areas 24a and 24b is shown asincreased.

In FIGS. la and 1b, the colored area 24a is first transferred fromintermediate support 16 to common collective support 17. After theconstituent printing image 24a has passed intermediate support 15,colored area 23 is transferred by support to collective support 17. Thetransfer of colored area 23 from intermediate support 15 to collectivesupport 17 is illustrated in FIG. la of the drawings. The coating of ink24b is transferred from intermediate support 16 to the collectivesupport 17 behind colored area 23 with respect to its direction ofrotation. During the further rotation of collective support 17, acoating of ink corresponding to background 21 from intermediate support14 is picked up by support 17. This coating of ink is provided withrecess 22, into which colored area 23 is fitted. FIG. la illustratesthat the transfer of ink for producing a com posite printing image takesplace in reverse sequence in contrast to conventional screen printing,since colored areas 24a and 24b located on top in the resultingcomposite printing image are first transferred, and then background 21is transferred to collective support 17 as a mirror image. In theprinting station, constituent printing images 21, 23, 24a and 24bforming the composite printed image of FIG. 1c are rolled onto theobject in reverse sequence. The distances between the screen printingstencils, the respectively associated intermediate supports, and thecollective supports are only shown as an illustration. In the operativeposition of the machine, these parts roll on each other with adjustablepressures. The same is true for article 19 or to be decorated bycollective support 17. Screen printing stencils 11 to 13, intermediatesupports 14 to 16, and collective support 17 are synchronously connectedby drive members not illustrated in the drawings so that the screenprinting stencils may be adjusted with respect to the intermediatesupports and these parts in common with respect to the collectivesupport, for example, for adapting the pressures, distances, etc., tovarious situations. The mechanical drive connection which in any caseensures the accurate relative coordination of the individual constituentprinting images with respect to each other is not impaired by suchpossibilities of adjustment.

The use of circular screens for printing stencils 11 to 13 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b has the advantage of being particularlyspace saving. In particular, the intermediate supports may be arrangedradially with respect to collective support 17 at a distance which isdetermined solely by their dimensions. There is thus no necessity toarrange the intermediate supports around the periphery of the collectivesupport spaced by the greatest printing image length. The latter is thecase when using flat screen printing stencils.

Moreover, an arrangement of circular screen printing stencilsindependent of the length of the printing image allows the screenprinting stencils, with respect to the Squeegees 18, not to begin toprint together. This can be seen readily from FIG. la of the drawings.Generally, the screen printing stencils are arranged above the axis ofthe associated intermediate support so that the ink collects in front ofthe squeeges by means of gravity. Moreover, it is also possible toselect other arrangements and constructions when the ink supply iscontrolled.

The circular screen printing stencils 1 1 to 13, according to FIG. la,have a maximum printing image length of 180, and a dead travel of 180.Larger and smaller diameter rollers may be used as intermediate supportsproviding that the ratios of their circumferential or peripheral lengthswith respect to the screen printing stencil lengths are integers inorder to preclude the transfer of incomplete images. Correspondingratios exist between the peripheral lengths of the intermedi atesupports and the peripheral length of the collective support. When acircular screen printing stencil is chosen with a printing image lengthof 180 during the rotary movement of the system, corresponding freesurfaces result on the intermediate supports and the collective supports(c.f. FIG. In) These free surfaces, which correspond to the dead travelof the respective screen printing stencils, are used in the continuousoperation of the screen printing machine for exchanging the object to beprinted. It is also possible to select a maximum printing image lengthwhich is greater than 180, which results in a correspondingly smallerdead travel angle. Thus, with a decreasing dead travel angle, it isnecessary to select a greater speed at which the printed objects areremoved and the objects to be printed are supplied. It is thus possibleto reduce the size of the composite machine which, to a large extent, isdetermined by the diameter of the screen printing stencils due to arapid removal and supply of objects.

In the continuous printing of webs, it is also possible to completelyeliminate the dead travel angle since there is no problem of similarconsecutive images with predetermined spacing as afore-described.

To print webs, a back pressure roller is provided which bears againstthe web on the side remote from collective support 17 and presses theweb against the collective support. In this way, all conceivablematerials may be printed in accurate registration with only slightmechanical resources. To print wallpaper, a typical application forscreen printing stencils with a maximum printing image length of 360,the intermediate supports and the collective support are continuouslycovered.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 relates to a screen printing machinewith three flat screen printing stencils 111, 112, and 113. Each screenprinting stencil is also followed by an intermediate supports 114, and116. The screen are jointly moved back and forth by a central drive, theproduction of the respective constituent printing image during themovement of the screen printing stencils taking place in the directionof the arrows. During this printing with a movement occurring from leftto right, intermediate supports 114, 115 and 116, and collective support117, rotate according to the maximum printing image length to apredetermined extent. During this movement, cylindrical object 119 rollsagainst collective support 117, thus picking up the composite printingimage. Support 117 corresponds in its basic construction to that of theembodiment according to FIGS. Ila to 10 so that the individualconstituent printing images also combine in the same manner to form theresulting composite printed image. The same is true when flat articlesare printed, such as a web.

During the return movement of screen printing stencils 111 to 113 in theopposite direction to the arrows, intermediate supports 114 to 116 andcollective support 117 are stationary. The article which has just beenprinted is exchanged during this period for the subsequent article. Inthis case, it is possible to cover almost the entire surfaces ofintermediate supports 114 to 1 16 with ink so that a compactconstruction may be achieved. However, in this case, the starting pointsat which the constituent printing images are applied to the surface ofthe collective support by the intermediate supports must have a distancebetween them which is at least equal to the maximum printing imagelength so that the application of ink is not interrupted by thestoppage.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 may also be used so that intermediate supports114 to 116 and collective support 117 rotate continuously, the screenprinting stencils 111 to 113 being operated in synchronism withintermediate supports 114 to 116 during the printing movement andundergoing an accelerated return movement in the opposite direction tothe arrows. An operation of this type requires greater distances betweenthe printing images on the intermediate supports and the collectivesupport, and thus, greater diameters for these parts. The exchange ofthe objects to be printed takes place during the return movement ofscreen printing stencils 111 to 113.

For both possibilities described in connection with FIG. 2, all movableparts are connected to each other in a suitable manner, for example, bya central drive to guarantee a synchronous operation of the partswithout special precautions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3a, three flat screen printing stencils 211,212 and 213 are arranged in one plane. A roller-like intermediatesupport 214, 215 and 216 is provided with each stencil. In this case,collective support 217 is constructed as a circulating belt 225. Theproduction of the individual constituent printing images takes placeduring the movement of screen printing stencils 211 to 213 in thedirection of the arrows, i.e., from right to left. It is possible toprovide an intermittent movement of the intermediate supports 214 to216, and collective support 217 so that these parts are stationaryduring the return movement of the screen printing stencils in thedirection opposite to the arrows, i.e., from right to left. Objects 219can be simultaneously exchanged.

A continuous operation ofintermediate supports 214 to 216 and ofcollective support 217 similar to the description given in connectionwith FIG. 2 is also possible.

Cylindrical or other rollable objects are printed in the course of asynchronous rotating or pivot movement between belt 225 and object 219,illustrated in FIG. 3a as a cylindrical object. In this case, theprinting operation is performed in the region of drum 226 for belt 225so that drum 226 may serve as a pressing member.

FIG. 3b illustrates the application of the impression to a flat object220. A pressure roller 227 is associated with belt 225. The image can beapplied to object 220 either during the movement of belt 225, or duringthe stoppage thereof. In the latter case, it is necessary to move theaxis of the pressure roller 227 with respect to stationary belt 225 andstationary object 220. In the other case, object 220 together with belt225 is moved, and the axis of the pressure roller 227 does not have toundergo any lateral movement. In both cases, belt 225 or the flatobject, for example, a web to be printed, is curved somewhat bydeflection from its normal flat configuration, e.g., as by thepositioning of a pressure roller 227 as illustrated in FIG. 3b, sincethe optimum printing quality is achieved by rolling transfer with linecontact only.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b, the printing image could bearranged on collective support 217 constructed as a belt 225 so thatduring its movement, the printing image is transferred to the objecteither parallel to or at right angles to the direction of movement andthus to the longitudinal travel of belt 225. In the former case, a bodywhich can be rolled aganist belt 225, is rolled against the belt on anaxis at right angles to the drawing plane. This body can be carried by aroller or the like. In the case of a hollow body, the body will engagethe roller. In the latter case with a flat object, in contrast to theillustration of FIG. 3b, the axis of pressure roller 227 may be swung 90horizontally and disposed for movement back and forth at right angles tothe direction of movement of the belt.

The particular advantage of a belt-like collective carrier is itsability to print conical objects very simply, as illustrated in FIG. 3c.For conventional screen printings, when a multi-color printing image isto be applied, it would be necessary to develop the stencils and inspecific cases, also the object in each printing station according toits conical shape. In the invention, however, it is possible to collectthe individual components of the composite printing image, i.e., theconstituent printing images in the customary manner on the collectivesupport, and only one development of the object coupled with a swingingmotion, is necessary.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4a to 4g shows a four-color screenprinting machine with flat screen printing stencils 310, 311, 312 and313, followed by roller-like intermediate supports 314, 315, 316 and316a. The collective support 317 is constructed as a plate belt 325, theindividual plates 328 of which respectively receive a composite printingimage. Similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 3a and 3b, theintermediate supports 314 to 316a are associated with top run 329 of thebelt 325, but with the difference that the axis of rotation 330 of theintermediate supports is parallel to the direction of movement 331 oftop run 329. The composite printing image is transferred from plates 328of belt 325 to object 319 to be printed in preferably region 332a,wherein plates 328 assume a vertical position, by rolling thecylindrical object 319 along the face of plate 328. In order to printobject 319 depending on its shape, the possibilities are also availableas already described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and3b.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4g, screen printingstencils 310 to 313 are stationary. Squeegees 318 and intermediatesupports 314 to 316a carry out reciprocating movements at right anglesto top run 329 of belt 325 in the horizontal plane. Belt 325 serves asthe collective support 317, and advanced intermittently in the directionof arrow 331 by one plate 328 respectively. When the belt stops betweenadvances, the constituent printing images are transferred from theintermediate supports to the respectively associated plates, and fromplate 328 located in the region 332a to object 319. This embodiment, inwhich the intermediate supports rotate in a different plane to that ofthe collective support, is particularly advantageous if the printingimage to be applied is comparatively long and/or is provided with agreater number of constituent printing images or colors. In any case, asubstantially more compact construction possible than if theintermediate supports rotated in the same plane as the collectivesupport.

The sequence of movements between a screen printing stencil, squeegee,associated intermediate support and the adjacent plate of belt 325 isillustrated in FIGS. 4b to 43. Intermediate support 314 is firstdisplaced in the direction of arrow 332b at right angles to thedirection of travel 331 (FIG. 4a) of top run 328. Support 314 rollsagainst the stationary screen printing stencil 310. Squeegee 318 isdisplaced synchronously with the transverse movement of the intermediatesupport in the direction of the arrow 332b. During the course of thismovement, the constituent printing image 333 is applied to theintermediate support. FIG. 4b shows the initial position of the parts;FIG. 40 shows the position of the parts after half the movement in thedirection of arrow 332b, and FIG. 4d shows the final position ofintermediate support 314 and squeegee 318, the former now carrying theentire constituent printing image 333. Intermediate support 314 is thendisplaced in the direction of arrow 334, i.e., downwards until itsperiphery or printing image 33 located thereon contacts plate 328located below. Intermediate support 314 is then rolled along plate 328of the collective support, moving in the direction of arrow 335. At theend of this movement, the entire constituent printing image 333 has beentransferred to plate 328. Intermediate support 314 is then moved upwardsin the direction of arrow 336 until it abuts against screen printingstencil 310 so that the next cycle may begin. In this case, it isassumed that squeegee 318 has likewise been returned to the initialposition according to FIGS. 4b or 4g. After or during the movement inthe direction of arrow 336, the belt and, with it, plate 328 may beadvanced by one step.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4g is also particularly suitable forprinting conical or similarly shaped objects, since, independent of thenumber of constituent printing images, only during the transfer of thecomposite printing image from the plate to the object, must the objectbe rolled relative to the plate and at the same time, tilted.

What is claimed is:

1. A screen printing apparatus for printing articles comprising:

a plurality of screen printing stencils each adapted for use with adifferent ink medium;

a plurality of intermediate color supports wherein each color support ispositioned beneath each screen printing stencil and in cooperativerelationship therewith for receiving a printed image, respectively;

said intermediate supports each having a surface constructed of amaterial with an adhesion to transfer the image from its correspondingsaid screen printing stencil thereto;

a single collective color support comprising a circulating belt having asubstantially flat image transfer surface and being disposed forcooperative contact with each of said intermediate color supports so asto receive thereon a collective printed image of each of the printedimages on each of said intermediate color supports and in contact withan article to be printed, the latter having a substantially flat articlesurface, and for transferring said collective printed image to saidarticle in a single printing contact operation of said collectivesupport with said article; said collective support having a surfaceconstructed of a material with a slightly greater adhesion that thesurfaces of each of said intermediate color supports so thatsubstantially all of the image is transferred from each of saidintermediate supports to said collective support and to the article tobe printed;

a displaceable roller adjacent said belt and opposite said article to beprinted; wherein said image is printed onto said flat article surfacefrom said flat image transfer surface of said collective support whilesaid surfaces are stationary by the application of rolling transferpressure by said displaceable roller, whereby articles of substantiallyflat surface are printed.

2. A screen printing apparatus for printing articles comprising: i

a plurality of screen printing stencils each adapted for use with adifferent inlt medium;

a plurality of intermediate color supports constituting rollers havingaligned axes of rotation, wherein each color support is positionedbeneath each screen printing stencil and in cooperative relationshiptherewith for receiving a printed image, respectively, said intermediatecolor supports each having a surface constructed of a material with anadhesion to transfer the image from its corresponding said screenprinting stencil thereto;

a single collective color support constituting a circulating belt,defining a substantially flat top run adjacent said intermediate colorsupports and parallel to said axes of rotation, said belt including aplurality of plates and being disposed for cooperative contact with eachof said intermediate color supports so as to receive thereon a printedimage of each of the printed images on each of said intermediate colorsupports and in contact with an article to be printed for transferringsaid collective printed image to said article in a single printingcontactoperation of said collective support with said article; saidcollective support having a surface constructed of a material with aslightly greater adhesion than the surfaces of each of said intermediatecolor supports so that substantially all of the image is transferredfrom each of said intermediate supports to said collective support andto the article to be printed;

said collective support is subjected to intermittent motion in a firstdirection parallel to said axes of rotation, and the respective printedimage is transferred from each of said intermediate supports to saidcollective support during a rotation movement of said rollersperpendicular to said first direction during a halt in said intermittentmotion, and wherein said transfer is effected by each of said rol- Ierstraveling in the direction of said rotation movement perpendicular tosaid first direction in rolling contact across said plates of saidcollective support, whereby comparatively long and greater number ofconstituent images and colors can be printed on articles.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said plates define a flatimage transfer surface of said collective support, the latter having asubstantially vertical oriented run;

wherein said article is disposed substantially vertical adjacent saidsubstantially vertical oriented run during the transfer of said printingimages.

1. A screen printing apparatus for printing articles coMprising: aplurality of screen printing stencils each adapted for use with adifferent ink medium; a plurality of intermediate color supports whereineach color support is positioned beneath each screen printing stenciland in cooperative relationship therewith for receiving a printed image,respectively; said intermediate supports each having a surfaceconstructed of a material with an adhesion to transfer the image fromits corresponding said screen printing stencil thereto; a singlecollective color support comprising a circulating belt having asubstantially flat image transfer surface and being disposed forcooperative contact with each of said intermediate color supports so asto receive thereon a collective printed image of each of the printedimages on each of said intermediate color supports and in contact withan article to be printed, the latter having a substantially flat articlesurface, and for transferring said collective printed image to saidarticle in a single printing contact operation of said collectivesupport with said article; said collective support having a surfaceconstructed of a material with a slightly greater adhesion that thesurfaces of each of said intermediate color supports so thatsubstantially all of the image is transferred from each of saidintermediate supports to said collective support and to the article tobe printed; a displaceable roller adjacent said belt and opposite saidarticle to be printed; wherein said image is printed onto said flatarticle surface from said flat image transfer surface of said collectivesupport while said surfaces are stationary by the application of rollingtransfer pressure by said displaceable roller, whereby articles ofsubstantially flat surface are printed.
 2. A screen printing apparatusfor printing articles comprising: a plurality of screen printingstencils each adapted for use with a different ink medium; a pluralityof intermediate color supports constituting rollers having aligned axesof rotation, wherein each color support is positioned beneath eachscreen printing stencil and in cooperative relationship therewith forreceiving a printed image, respectively, said intermediate colorsupports each having a surface constructed of a material with anadhesion to transfer the image from its corresponding said screenprinting stencil thereto; a single collective color support constitutinga circulating belt, defining a substantially flat top run adjacent saidintermediate color supports and parallel to said axes of rotation, saidbelt including a plurality of plates and being disposed for cooperativecontact with each of said intermediate color supports so as to receivethereon a printed image of each of the printed images on each of saidintermediate color supports and in contact with an article to be printedfor transferring said collective printed image to said article in asingle printing contact operation of said collective support with saidarticle; said collective support having a surface constructed of amaterial with a slightly greater adhesion than the surfaces of each ofsaid intermediate color supports so that substantially all of the imageis transferred from each of said intermediate supports to saidcollective support and to the article to be printed; said collectivesupport is subjected to intermittent motion in a first directionparallel to said axes of rotation, and the respective printed image istransferred from each of said intermediate supports to said collectivesupport during a rotation movement of said rollers perpendicular to saidfirst direction during a halt in said intermittent motion, and whereinsaid transfer is effected by each of said rollers traveling in thedirection of said rotation movement perpendicular to said firstdirection in rolling contact across said plates of said collectivesupport, whereby comparatively long and greater number of constituentimages and colors can be printed on articles.
 3. Apparatus According toclaim 2 in which said plates define a flat image transfer surface ofsaid collective support, the latter having a substantially verticaloriented run; wherein said article is disposed substantially verticaladjacent said substantially vertical oriented run during the transfer ofsaid printing images.